A Programming by Demonstration Authoring Tool for Model–Tracing Tutors
In IJAIED
8 (3): "Special Issue on Authoring Systems for Intelligent Tutoring Systems "
Publication information
Abstract
Model–tracing tutors have consistently been among the most effective class of intelligent
learning environments. Across a number of empirical studies, these tutors have shown
students can learn the tutored domain better or in a shorter amount of time than
traditionally taught students (Anderson et al., 1990). Unfortunately, the creation of these
tutors, particularly the production system component, is a time–intensive task, requiring
knowledge that lies outside the tutored domain. This outside knowledge—knowledge of
programming and cognitive science—prohibits domain experts from being able to
construct effective, model–tracing tutors for their domain of expertise. This paper reports
on a system, referred to as Demonstr8 (and pronounced “demonstrate”), which attempts
to reduce the outside knowledge required to construct a model–tracing tutor, within the
domain of arithmetic. By utilizing programming by demonstration techniques (Cypher,
1993; Myers et al., 1993) coupled with a mechanism for abstracting the underlying
productions (the procedures to be used by the tutor and learned by the student), the author
can interact with the interface the student will use, and the productions will be inferred by
the system. In such a way, a domain expert can create in a short time a model–tracing
tutor with the full capabilities implied by such a tutor—a production system that monitors
the student's progress at each step in solving the problem and gives feedback when
requested or necessary, in either an immediate or delayed manner.
